The Ontario government is investing $245,000 to enhance apprenticeship training at Georgian College that will help more people in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound get the skills to prepare for meaningful and well-paying careers in an in-demand industry. To help deliver the province’s ambitious infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade.
Funding will go towards the purchase of modern electromechanical trainer stations and electrical equipment to improve the classroom experience for three levels of the Electrician Construction and Industrial Electrician programs.
“This investment of new equipment for the Owen Sound Campus is excellent news that will allow apprentices to train on industry-level technology and gain the necessary training to prepare them for fulfilling and well-paying careers in skilled trades,” said MPP Rick Byers.
This funding is part of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s $24 million investment in the Apprenticeship Capital Grant program, which helps improve and modernize equipment and training facilities that support hands-on learning for students and apprentices.
The province’s investment in upgrades to Georgian’s electrical training equipment will have an immediate and lasting impact on the workforce in the region,” said Kevin Weaver, Georgian’s President and CEO. “Georgian is well-poised to help fill the skilled trades gap in the region and funding such as this is integral to that work.”
“Students enrolled in a range of programs delivered in partnership with local school boards, employers, and unions will benefit from this investment,” said Dave Shorey, Executive Director, Georgian’s Owen Sound Campus. “This helps us prepare and retain work-ready graduates close to home and we know that means they’re more likely to stay and work in our region long-term.”
To tackle the ongoing labour shortage, Ontario is investing over $1 billion in the skilled trades over three years. This investment is part of the government’s mission to make Ontario the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family.
“When you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government will continue to invest in the next generation of young people, ensuring apprentices can learn with quality tools and equipment as they prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”
In the spring, the government announced a historic 24 per cent increase in apprenticeship registrations – nearly 30 per cent among women – bringing the province to more than 91,000 active apprentices in total.
There are 1.3 million people working in some 144 skilled trades-related occupations in the province. At least one in three workers in the trades is aged 55 or over and nearing retirement and, therefore, younger workers will be in demand.
The Apprenticeship Capital Grant available is supported by labour market transfer agreements between the Federal and Provincial governments.
